With Swedish Door Partner, Ashley Lewchuk - Designer & Owner of Intentional Space Design
Whether you’re renovating your entire kitchen, refacing or just replacing bits and pieces, picking the right doors is an exciting endeavor, and one of the key aspects to consider while creating your unique space!
Since the kitchen is often considered the heart of a home, the type of cabinets doors you choose will play a vital role in the design and atmosphere you desire. The right door style can enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen and overall, make it feel like “home”.
When choosing kitchen cabinet door styles, several factors should be considered to ensure you make the best decision for your space.
The first step is to think about the overall style you want to achieve. Is it modern, traditional, or transitional? The cabinet door style should complement the existing design elements and create a cohesive look.
“I think the biggest thing people should consider is what door style works best for them. Too often people look to what is popular or what looks nice on Pinterest, but it might not actually reflect their true aesthetic or lifestyle,” said Swedish Door’s Partner, Ashley Lewchuck, Designer & Owner of Intentional Space Design.
She explained that it’s important to think of the small details to fully enjoy your space. “I had a client who loves the details of a small shaker or shaker door but knew that a flat panel door would be easier to keep clean for their family of four. It's small details like that worth paying attention to,” she said.
If you’re thinking about an ultra modern look, choosing a sleek and minimalist cabinet door styles such as the Swedish Door Tess, flat panel in a bright high gloss or white would be ideal.
“Choosing a front that is simple in design, it’s easy to clean and maintain but won't go out of style,” she told Swedish Door.
For a classic, clean look, you may want to choose a timeless shaker profile like the standard Aart Shaker or an Ines slim shaker style door.
“I really love the clean and simple lines of the more modern slim shaker doors (like the Ines, Tage & Emil) - they are more unique to the traditional style doors and balance the minimalistic look with a traditional door style well,” Ashley noted.
Traditional kitchens often feature raised panel or recessed panel doors with intricate detailing, such as the Floris or Astrid style in real wood or painted finish.
Whereas a transitional kitchen incorporates a combination of different styles, allowing for more flexibility in design. A popular example of this combination look would be to pair the Tess flat slab with an Aart shaker style.
The material and finish of kitchen cabinet doors also play a significant role in choosing the right style of door. The three most common materials and finishes used include a luxurious painted finish, a warm real wood veneer, and cost-effective thermofoil. Each material has its own unique characteristics.
If you’re using Wood, you will get a mixture of durability and upscale design that can be stained various tints or clear coated to see the natural beauty of the product.
“Wood in general (particularly medium to lighter wood tones), brings warmth into a space. This helps in a kitchen where there are fewer aesthetic design choices to make. My personal favourite combination is the use of wood cabinets or shelving with painted cabinets to give you the perfect balance without it being overdone,” Ashley explained.
Swedish Door’s painted cabinet doors provides a more budget-friendly option than wood with a wide range of colors and style options made in an HDF material for durability and a beautiful seamless finish. It has a high water and heat resistance and is resistant to yellowing. Choosing a painted door can make your kitchen look high-end without paying for a fully custom kitchen.
“Cabinet doors play a big part in defining the aesthetic and there are a few options in a kitchen that homeowners can personalize to give them the look they desire. Cabinet colour(s) go along with this and can dictate the overall feel of the space since it really is the main 'furniture' in a kitchen,” Ashley said.
Thermofoil is the most cost-effective option and provides a smooth look in a matte finish, perfect for contemporary aesthetics. While it is the least expensive option, it does have the tendency to delaminate if not properly taken care of and is not usually recommended around high heat or areas with moisture such as beside a dishwasher or oven.
Making sure that you are choosing the right kitchen cabinet door styles is essential for a successful kitchen renovation or refacing project. By considering all the factors, you can make an informed decision that suits both your personal preferences and practical needs.
“Overall, if you love something, don't worry about what others would choose or decide, just go for it. I always tell my clients, ‘It’s your home so design it for you'”.
If you need some help designing your perfect kitchen from Swedish Door, you can contact Ashley Lewchuk by:
Phone: 613-600-6387
E-mail: intentionalspacedesign@gmail.com
Website: https://www.intentionalspace.ca
or view her Designer Profile here:
Ready to see what your kitchen can become?
